Northampton boss Jon Brady felt Wanderers' strength in attack was key as the Whites' ran out 4-2 winners at Sixfields.

John McAtee and Aaron Collins got the nod from the start, with Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo joining the action during the second half.

McAtee opened the scoring in the early stages with a ruthless finish, while Charles netted the fourth in the final 10 minutes.

“A very tough night,” Brady told the club channels. “We have stepped on with a high line and they have carved through us.

“They played it round the back early and with the aggressive runs through, they scored the first goal early and that really punished us.

“From the quick restart, we don’t adjust our line and they get through us again. You look at the first half and they have three chances overall, we have four good ones.

“It is too easy for them to get in. Their keeper makes some good saves but the goals we gave away were too easy.

“The difference we find at this level is the frontmen. A lot of these teams have invested well and they spend a lot on their frontmen.

“You see the two who start and then the two they bring on, it is a big difference. When you have that strength, it gives them a hell of an attacking prowess. Overall, we were beaten by the better team on the night.”

The Cobblers pulled back two late goals, with one being scored by former Bolton youngster Tom Eaves on his first start for the club.

“We have never been a side that gives in,” Brady added. “You can see the guys were still working extremely hard to get back in the game, but obviously it was too easy at times for them to score.

“The scoreline reflected that at 4-0 but to pull it back to 4-2, goal difference might be so crucial at the end of the season.

“Make no bones about it, the strength of these teams in this league this year is totally different to last.”  

Former Wanderer Luke Mbete was stretchered off after suffering an injury during the second half.

When asked about his condition, Brady replied: “I don’t want to speculate but I don’t think it is good.

“I think it is a muscle injury and he was quite upset. He felt a lot of pain. It is something we are having no luck in in that position. I just feel for the lad because he is a cracking young man.”